2017 Volume 42 Issue 248 Pages 11-19
Since it is now possible to obtain detailed data for HVAC systems, it has become increasingly clear that there has been wastage during the operation of HVAC systems, which so far went unnoticed, and that there is room for further energy-saving. The aim of this study is to develop an optimal operation technology for HVAC systems. In order to achieve this, HVAC systems must operate according to the outside air conditions and load conditions to eliminate wasteful operation. A heat source system was modeled using an energy simulation tool, and the energy consumption of the system was calculated. The outside air conditions, load conditions, and cooling water temperature set point (outlet of cooling tower) were discretized for a case study. The influence of change in cooling water temperature set point on the energy consumption of the system was examined. By analyzing the trend, a relational formula for the optimal set point of cooling water temperature was derived. Using the relational formula, an optimal control method was applied to an actual heat source system. By introducing this method, the energy consumption of the system could be reduced by 3.3%. The effectiveness of the method was confirmed by a demonstration experiment.
